Wava Hascall: Questions to Ask Someone From Abroad

When someone speaks more than one language, the usual small talk questions fall flat fast. Wava Hascall speaks English, Czech, and Estonian, which gives you a natural, easy way to start a real conversation instead of a generic one. The trick is asking questions that show curiosity about her world without turning into an interview.

Start with language, not with "where are you from"

Asking "where are you from" is the fastest way to sound like everyone else. With Wava, you already have something better: three languages to work with. You could ask which language feels most natural to think in, or which one she dreams in. That is a question tied directly to who she is, not a question you could ask anyone.

Use her own words as a doorway

Wava writes that she likes slow build-ups and real connection, and that there is no need to rush. That tells you something about the pace she prefers in conversation, so use it. Instead of firing off five questions in a row, ask one, let her answer, and build on it. Questions about her country or her languages work much better when they come one at a time, with room to breathe.

Ask about contrast, not just facts

A flat question like "what is Czech like" invites a flat answer. A better move is asking her to compare: does Estonian feel different from Czech when she speaks it, or does switching between English and Czech change how she expresses herself? Questions built around contrast give her more to say and show you are actually thinking about what she told you, not just collecting data points.

Questions worth asking someone with her background

• Which of your three languages feels the most like "you"?
• Is there a word in Czech or Estonian that does not translate well into English?
• Did you grow up speaking more than one language at home, or did that come later?
• Which language do you use when you are thinking something through alone?
• Does your accent change depending on which language you just spoke?
• Is there a saying in Estonian you wish existed in English?
• Do certain topics feel easier to talk about in one language than another?
• Which language would you want to get better at if you had the time?
• Does switching languages change your mood, even slightly?
• What is something people always get wrong about where you are from?
• Is there a word you use in conversation that always confuses people?
• Which language sounds the most different from how it is written?

Let the pace match what she told you

Since Wava describes herself as someone who takes her time rather than rushing, treat the conversation the same way. Do not stack every question above into one message. Pick two, see where they lead, and let her answers decide what you ask next. That approach respects what she already told you about how she likes things to unfold.

Good questions about someone's country or languages are not about trivia — they are about listening to what she already shared and building from there, the way Wava's own words invite you to.